Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/188

 you reflect  on  such  divine  patience,  meekness,  and charity, without  detesting  your  fretful,  uncharitable conduct towards  your  fellow-creatures,  your  irritable and untractable  temper? The silence  of  Jesus  is  a miracle  of  meekness: have  you  imitated  it  when undeservedly or  even  justly  reproved? The first words of  our  divine  Redeemer  on  the  cross,  are  a prayer  for  his  executioners:  is  it  thus  you  return good for  evil; or  rather,  are  you  not  perhaps  actually criminal in  the  eyes  of  God,  by  anger,  contempt, coolness, or  want  of  charity  towards  your  neighbour? Such is  the  examination  you  should  make  at  the  foot of the  cross; for  certain  it  is  that  your  crucified  Lord is the  model  on  which  you  will  finally  be  judged. The day  will  come  when  a crucifix  for  the  last  time will be  presented  to  you. To those  who  have  endeavoured to  avoid  sin,  which  crucified  their  Lord,  and to imitate  the  virtues  which  the cross  teaches, the sight  of  that  affecting  object,  in  the  last  awful ceremony, will  be  a source  of  the  greatest  consolation and confidence. To some,  it cannot  be  otherwise  than an anticipated  condemnation,  it  is  in  your  power now to  choose  either: perhaps  on  the  resolutions which you  make  in  this  very  meditation,  and  the fruits of  amendment  you  draw  from  it,  depends  your eternal salvation. Resolve, then,  generously  to  make a friend of  Him,  who  will  one  day  be  your  judge, and henceforward  never  to look  on  a crucifix  without thinking of  your  obligation  to  imitate  the  virtues  of your  crucified  Lord. O my merciful  Redeemer! prostrate in spirit  at  the  foot  of  thy  cross,  I thank  thee for all  thou  hast  done  and  suffered  for  my  salvation. I beg of  thee,  by  the  efficacy  of  thy  precious  blood, to soften  the  obduracy  of  my  heart,  and  strengthen  my will,  that  I may  faithfully  do  all  that  thou  requirest.